Majority of Malibu Crime is Tied to Homeless, Sheriff Says
Crime is up 34% this year in Malibu, with homeless people accounting for the vast majority of the city's reported offenses.
August 10, 2026
Malibu’s liaison at the Lost Hills Sheriff station estimated that 90% of crimes in Malibu are[related to homelessness,](https://www.stringermalibu.com/article/malibu-crime-homelessness-report?retro=1) during a Public Safety Commission meeting last week.
The meeting began with some bad news. Crime last month was up 34%, from the same time in 2025. Malibu often sees an uptick in crime in July, as millions of summer visitors descend on its beaches.
Still, the numbers were sobering. Malibu’s crime rate surged last spring, increasing 113% in March, and 3% again in April, the last month Malibu’s crime report was posted.
Sgt. Chris Soderlund pulled out a list of arrests from last month’s 200 or so reported offenses, and began to read aloud some of the more notable incidents.
“See if you can follow a common theme here,” he said.
“A male adult transient arrested for possession of a concealed, loaded firearm at PCH and Carbon Canyon Road…”
Sgt. Soderlund proceeded to cite 10 arrests, 6 of which involved “transients”.
“A male adult transient arrested for indecent exposure at the Bank of America,” he said, finally prompting a response from the commission.
“That’s a lot of adult males,” Commissioner Richard Garvey said, drawing laughs from the chamber.
“I’d say about 90% of the crime that occurs in Malibu is transient-related,” Sgt. Soderlund replied.
“Yes, absolutely,” Commissioner Alexis Aria said. “That’s true.”
Malibu’s crime report doesn’t include residence information for people cited or arrested. But the comments come as Malibu’s homeless population has started to shrink.
[January's count found 44 people](https://www.smdp.com/malibu-continues-multi-year-trend-of-declining-homelessness/) citywide — 33 individuals and 11 living in vehicles — the fifth straight year of decline and down from 239 at the 2020 peak.